Friday, September 20

“A Great Victory Decriminalizing Poverty”: Driver's Licenses Will No Longer Be Suspended for Unpaid Fines in New York

“Una gran victoria que despenaliza la pobreza”: ya no suspenderán licencias de manejo por multas no pagadas en Nueva York

Licensing in NY

Photo: Edwin Martinez / El Diario NY

New York drivers who cannot pay a traffic fine in full will be able to do so in installments and will no longer face the risk of having their licenses suspended for that debt, according to a law signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

The “Suspension Reform Act of the Driver’s License ”puts an end to the practice of suspending driving licenses for people who have not been able to pay their fines in full and will allow those who have them inactive due to to traffic debt.

State Senator Tim Kennedy of Buffalo, who sponsored the legislation with Assemblywoman Syracuse’s Pamela Hunter said in a statement that it was “a great victory that decriminalizes poverty and will give drivers hope and opportunity. throughout New York State, ”quoted Associated Press.

New York drivers who can’t afford to pay the entirety of a traffic fine will be able to do so via installments and will no longer face the risk of their licenses being suspended for that debt. https://t.co/Q7JhjtsNhm

– NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) January 5, 2021